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Cruise Ship Tours

Holland America Line’s 82,305-gross-ton, 2003-built MV Oosterdam is the second of four Vista Class ships named for the four points on the compass. Oosterdam (“oost”, which rhymes with “toast”, means “east” in Dutch) followed the 2002-built Zuiderdam (“south”) and was joined by the 2004-built Westerdam and 2006-built Noordam (“north”).

Holland America’s Vista Class ships are derived from parent company Carnival Corporation’s Spirit Class platform, sharing similar dimensions and machinery but with a layout and interior style that is unique to Holland America. Other ships in the Carnival empire that are based on the Vista Class design include Cunard’s Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, P&O’s Arcadia and Costa’s Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa.

Oosterdam and its sisters were built by the busy Marghera (near Venice) yard of Italy’s state-owned Fincantieri shipyard. The ship was named by Holland’s Princess Margriet in a gala naming ceremony at Rotterdam in July of 2003.

Owned by the Carnival Corporation since 1989, Holland America Line was founded in 1873 as N.A.S.M. (Nederlandsch Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatschappij) and became one of the most successful companies providing transatlantic crossings well into the second half of the twentieth century before it switched to full-time cruising in 1971.

As built, the Oosterdam had a gently-tapered stern. In 2009, the ship was fitted with additional cabins aft, giving the upper portion of the stern a fuller, more vertical look. This is a view before the refit when the ship’s original double-occupancy capacity of 1,848 was increased to 1,916.

A number of public rooms were restyled in the Oosterdam’s refit. The Oak Room (shown facing forward) and a portion of the Crow’s Nest Observation Lounge were converted into Club Explorations, a combination Library and specialty coffee bar on starboard Observation Deck.

Here is a view of the refitted, 936-by-105.8 foot Oosterdam at anchor in Cabo San Lucas. Oosterdam has eleven passenger decks that are linked by three main stairtowers and fourteen lifts, four of which are panoramic with views of the sea.

Oosterdam’s uppermost level is Sports Deck (Deck 11), the forward portion of which overlooks the bow. Full-length glass screens shelter the space from high winds.

Sunning space continues aft on either side of the radio-mast housing on forward Sports Deck.

Here is a twilight view facing aft from the port side of Sports Deck.

The aft portion of Sports Deck is situated behind the funnels. Here, a net shelters a combination basketball and volleyball court.

The next level, Observation Deck (Deck 10), begins on either side of the Crow’s Nest/Explorations Cafe. Heavy wooden seating is shaded under a canopy of tarpaulin.

Open sunning space can be enjoyed in cushioned deck chairs forward of the magrodome-covered pool area.

Teak walkways continue aft on either side above the midships pool area on Observation Deck.

Sheltered games areas surround the funnels on either side of aft Observation Deck.

Holland America’s Vista Class ships were the first cruise ships to have two functioning fore-to-aft-situated funnels since the Italian liners Michelangelo and Raffaello of 1965.

The aft portion of Observation Deck has more cushioned deck-chair seating.

Here is a view overlooking the aft pool and sunning space on Lido Deck from Observation Deck.

The midships pool area features four whirlpools and the Pool Grill as well as the Terrace Bar.

The open air aft pool is flanked by two more whirlpools and the Sea View Bar.

Here is a look at the Oosterdam’s terraced forward superstructure from the crew recreation deck on forward Upper Promenade Deck (Deck 4).

All Holland America Line ships feature fully-encircling, teak-covered promenades with cushioned deck chairs and a proximal view of the sea.

Offering the best interior views on the ship, the 236-seat Crow’s Nest is located on the forward/port side of Observation Deck overlooking the bow. The starboard section of the room sports the ship’s new 60-seat Explorations Cafe coffee bar/library/internet center.

Located on midships Observation Deck, Club HAL (shown here) and the newly added Zone cater to the Oosterdam’s younger passenger set.

A fully equipped gymnasium with cardio and weight machines, free weights and an aerobics space is located in the forward arc of Lido Deck, adjacent to the vast Greenhouse Spa and Salon.

The Greenhouse Spa and Salon has nine treatment rooms with a wide variety of therapies and massages as well as a pre- and post-treatment relaxation room.

A Beauty Salon is located along the port-side entrance of the Greenhouse Spa.

The Greenhouse Spa has a thermal suite for steam and sauna indulgences as well as a Hydro Pool.

The Lido Restaurant is located toward the aft end of Lido Deck. The casual eatery seats 452 guests. At night, the forward/starboard section of the room is transformed into the non-tariff, reservations-suggested, 54-seat Canaletto Italian restaurant.

The 25-seat Neptune Lounge is reserved for the exclusive use of suite guests and is located on midships Rotterdam Deck (Deck 7).

A suite of public rooms begins on forward Promenade Deck (Deck 3) with the balcony level of the 867-seat Vista Lounge, the Oosterdam’s triple deck showroom. The state-of-the-art venue is equipped with the latest sound, lighting and effects required for the ship’s main stage entertainment.

Artwork at the entrance to the Vista Lounge reflects a musical theme.

A trio of meeting rooms that can be adjoined to accommodate a total of 90 guests begins just aft of the Vista Lounge balcony on port Promenade Deck with the Hudson Room.

The Hudson Room is followed by the Half Moon Room. This space is named for De Halve Maen, Henry Hudson’s caravelle that is featured in the Holland America Line logo.

The Stuyvesant Room rounds out the trio of meeting rooms on Promenade Deck.

The Oosterdam has a three-deck atrium topped by a Waterford crystal globe that revolves.

The 150-seat Ocean Bar surrounds the top level of the atrium on Promenade Deck. On the port side, there is a band stand and a brass dance floor.

The starboard side of Ocean Bar features the gallery-style bar, itself, which overlooks the starboard promenade.

On the starboard side of the Promenade Deck, the passage that leads aft from the Ocean Bar is home to the ship’s Photo Gallery.

The upper level of the Oosterdam’s 1,100-seat Vista Dining Room occupies the aft portion of Promenade Deck. On this level, “As You Wish” dining (where guests can dine when and with whom they please) is offered.

Another level of public spaces begins on Lower Promenade Deck (Deck 2) with the middle level of the Vista Lounge showroom, which is followed by the Casino. Accommodating 199 guests, the vast gaming facility features blackjack, roulette, dice and poker tables as well as 130 slot machines.

On the starboard side of the Casino, the 70-seat Piano Bar has dramatic views of the sea and tends to be a popular hub for night owls who enjoy lively sing-alongs.

The Sports Bar seats 42 and is located just aft of the Piano Bar on Lower Promenade Deck.

Accommodating 80, the Northern Lights Disco is just aft of the Casino on the port side of Lower Promenade Deck.

The Queen’s Lounge doubles as a culinary-arts theater and lecture hall by day (with enhancement from LED screens) and a cabaret-style showroom at night.

The middle level of the atrium follows the Queen’s Lounge on midships Lower Promenade Deck.

The extra-tariff Pinnacle Grill Restaurant seats 144 guests on the port side of the Lower Promenade Deck atrium. The Pacific Northwest-themed eatery features wrought aluminum chairs by Gibert and Lebigre.

Passage on Lower Promenade Deck continues aft of the atrium on the starboard side adjacent to the Oosterdam’s art gallery.

On aft starboard Lower Promenade Deck, the 80-seat Explorer’s Lounge is a favorite gathering spot in the pre- and post-dinner hours.

Just aft of the Explorer’s Lounge, there is a small smoking room for pipe and cigar aficionados.

Located in the stern of Lower Promenade Deck, the bottom level of the Vista Dining Room is for guests who prefer “Traditional Dining” in two seatings with the same waiter and table guests each night.

The double-level main galley is located on port Promenade and Lower Promenade Decks adjacent to the Vista Dining Room.

Main Deck (Deck 1) begins with the bottom level of the Vista Lounge showroom and continues with a block of Inside and Ocean View staterooms. The bottom level of the atrium is located on midships Main Deck.

The Front Office (main reception) is located on the port side of the atrium.

Oosterdam’s interiors were designed by Frans Dingemans of Utrecht-based VFD architects. He has been the principal Holland America Line architect since the early 1970s. This is an eco-friendly artwork by Gibert and Lebigre, a husband and wife team of artists that works frequently with Dingemans.

Gibert and Lebigre are well known for their works in aluminum, a material that is particularly popular aboard ship due to its durability, light weight and resistance to rust. This is a close-up of the Art Deco-influenced elevator panels that are featured on all of HAL’s Vista Class ships as well as the Signature Class Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam.

Works signifying both the traditional and contemporary elements of the Vista Class ships are the Warhol prints of Dutch Queen Beatrix that are located across from the Front Desk on Main Deck.

Bermuda-based maritime artist Stephen Card’s masterly portraits of past and current Holland America Line ships grace the forward stair-tower landings of every ship in the fleet. Here is one of his photo-perfect oils depicting the mostly tourist-class steamship Ryndam of 1951.

The Oosterdam has a fully-enclosed wheelhouse with the latest in navigation technology. The Vista Class ships were the first in the HAL fleet to feature Dynamic Positioning (DP) where satellites work in conjunction with the Azipods to keep the ships in a fixed position when anchored.

Orders are transmitted from the bridge to the control room, which is adjacent to the engine room.

Here is a view of the Oosterdam’s main circuit board. The ship is propelled by twin 17.4 megawatt Azipods.

Oosterdam is powered by five 16-cylinder Sulzer medium-speed power plants that combined with the gas turbine give her a top cruising speed of 24 knots.

The Vista Class ships all feature supplemental gas-turbine engines in lieu of a sixth diesel, which, when engaged, cuts back on emissions.

The Oosterdam’s two Penthouse Suites top the passenger accommodation tier and measure 1,318 square feet. The living room is seen here from the vantage of the adjacent dining area.